It had been about a week since I had unceremoniously landed in Equestria, and I was back at the scene of my entrance. Since it was a weekend, Button had come and found me and invited me to play some video games.
Like Luna before him, he was astonished that I not only played games, but helped create them. He was also impressed by my skills, which were about equal with his. I had found that though Button was more into old-school gaming, thus the Atari-like set-up I had seen when I first arrived, he wasn't above playing the current generation.
"So, how do you like Ponyville," I asked while we took a break.
"Oh, it's OK. Most of the ponies here are really nice, much better than in Manehattan."
"What about school?"
"Who are you, my mother?"
"Just asking as a friend. I know how it feels to be the new kid in school."
"It's good, for the most part. I mean, there are a few pains in the rear."
"Aren't there always," I knowingly asked.
"Yeah, but I won't let 'em get me down."
"Any nice fillies," I asked with a smirk.
"Wh-What do you mean by that?"
"Oh come on, Button, you're a young colt in a new town, there has to be some filly in your class that has your eye. C'mon, out with it."
"Why do you care?"
"Because I'm your friend, aren't I? Besides, I owe you for pretty much giving you a concussion upon my entrance. Whomever it is, I'm gonna help you with her, or him, I don't discriminate."
"Sweet...," Button mumbled.
"Don't be like that, Button."
"Sweetie Belle, OK, her name is Sweetie Belle."
"That name sounds familiar, but I can't place my finger on why."
"She's Rarity's sister."
"Oh, right. White unicorn, with a curly mane."
"That's right."
"Well, if you're going to capture the fair maiden's heart," I figured using video game terminology would work best, "you're going to need to know her. What do you know about her?"
"Her sister, Rarity, was the Element of Generosity. And she is one-third of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo."
"Cutie Mark Crusaders?"
"Yeah, it's their own club where they do all sorts of strange things to earn their cutie marks. At least, that's how Snips explained it to me."
"Hmmm, interesting," I said, rubbing my chin, "I think I have an idea. But I'll need to visit Rarity to make it work."
"Why?"
"If I've learned anything about Rarity, it's if you let her go on about your clothing for long enough, she'll start spilling secrets. And if I throw in the added pretext of getting some relationship advice, she'll tell me everything I, meaning we, want to know."
"So you're willing to risk Rarity using you as a pony, I mean human, pincushion for me?"
"Yes. It's called taking one for the team."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Walk around town. See if you can Sweetie Belle or her two friends. One thing I know for certain, if you want to date a girl, you have to be on good terms with her friends."
Our plan set in motion, I made my way to Carousel Boutique, Rarity's home and place of business. Of course, I had been there before for Rarity to measure me and to pick up clothing that she had made, nothing special. I just hoped that she wasn't too busy. As I stepped through the doorway, a tiny bell rang from above my head.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique," I heard Rarity call out, her voice getting closer by the word, "Where every ensemble is chic, unique, and magnifique. Oh, hello Jack, and to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Afternoon, Rarity," I greeted in return, "I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time."
"You certainly haven't. In fact, it's been pretty quiet, even with Sweetie here."
"I heard that," a new voice said from what appeared to be the kitchen.
"You haven't met Sweetie, have you," Rarity asked.
"Can't say that I have," I replied.
She led me to the kitchen. There I saw an almost miniature version of Rarity, well except that her mane was two colors and was more tightly curled. Her eyes were glued to a rectangular device that I recognized from when Button Mash gave me a grand tour of his room.
"Sweetie, your manners, say hello to our guest."
"Hello," she looked up for a split second before returning her attention to the screen.
"Sweetie Belle!"
"Don't worry, Rarity," I eased, "I program video games, remember. I know the feeling well of being in the middle of a level and not being able to save."
A smile crossed Sweetie Belle's face, "Ha! Finally got past the boss," a few button clicks later, and she put the device down. I could now read the name JoyBoy flashed on the screen.
"Tough boss," I asked, interested in what she was playing.
"The penultimate boss," she said, then turned to her sister, "Penultimate, is that the right word?"
"If you mean something that is second-to-last, then yes, penultimate."
Sweetie smiled in accomplishment, perhaps more at her vocabulary then at beating whichever boss this was.
"Well, Sweetie Belle," I said, reaching out a hand, "my name is Jack Christiansen, pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," she beamed, shaking my hand.
"Jack," Rarity piped up, "was there some reason you came over here?"
"What? A guy can't just stop by his friend's place of business?"
"Oh, of course, darling, I was just curious."
"As a matter of fact, there is something that I need to talk to you about."
"We can talk in my creation room," the older unicorn said with a flip of her mane.
Rarity led me upstairs and into a room. It was quite a sight, with various fabrics strewn all over the place, and multiple mannequins holding multiple unfinished outfits.
"Now," Rarity continued, "what did you need to talk to me about?"
"Well," I began, making sure that the door was closed, "I need advice."
"What kind of advice? You sure this isn't something Twilight can help you with?"
"Something tells me that you are the local expert on matters of the heart."
Rarity's eyes got big, "Matters of the heart? As in, something pertaining to romance?"
"Exactly."
"Well I'm flattered that you came to me. I'll do the best I can. So, who's the lucky mare?"
"Oh, it's not for me."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I am trying to help a friend. They don't know a lot about this kind of stuff, and I offered to give my assistance. However, I'm no expert, that's where you come in. I really need a mare's perspective."
"I believe I understand," she nodded, taking a seat in a chair and motioning for me to take a seat, which I promptly did, "So, what do you need to know first?"
"Well, and this is all hypothetical mind you, if a stallion was trying to gain your attention, what would be the best way for him to do so?"
"I would say that he would have to really know me. If we began talking and it showed that he hadn't done his due diligence, it would not reflect well on him."
"Due diligence?"
"Knowing certain things about me. Like, if he didn't know that I was a designer, or didn't know that I was an Element of Harmony, I would know that he doesn't really care about the mare inside, he only cares about how she looks outside. I made that mistake once, and I will not make it again, nor will I allow somepony else to."
"Understandable. How long do you think two people, ponies, have to know each other before they can be sure that a relationship is even possible? I'm not exactly someone who believes in love at first sight."
"That is a bit of a foalish notion, best left to foals. They can get away with it, because they don't always think things through. But adults, well, we should know the difference. But sometimes, no matter how much one knows that it doesn't make any sense, as they say, the heart wants what it wants."
"Indeed, for better or for worse. One last question, what if it doesn't work out? How does one best recover from the sting of rejection?"
"Different ponies handle it different ways. Some can shrug it off and go on with their lives. Some get cast into a sour pallor for weeks. It all depends on the individual, and how strong that individual's feelings were. In a perfect world, nopony would get hurt from relationships, or potential relationships, gone south. But, alas, we do not live in a perfect world."
"I came to the right pony," I smiled.
"Pleasure to be of service. Now, I must ask you a question."
"Shoot."
"Are you sure you aren't talking about yourself?"
"Rarity..."
"I mean it, Jack. It isn't healthy to keep feelings contained for too long. If you are developing feelings for somepony, whomever that may be, you can tell me. And if you are, I suggest making your feelings known as soon as possible, lest you have regrets."
"Trust me, Rarity, we aren't talking about me. Like I said, I'm asking for a friend in need."
"Well OK then. Just know that I am here if you need me to listen. Or if you need me to fashion you another suit, whichever."
This elicited a laugh from me, "I know Rarity, I know."
We exited the creation room, and I left the boutique, but not without saying goodbye to Sweetie, who was nose-deep in her JoyBoy again, I imagine taking on the final boss.
I realized once I was outside that it was getting late. Button would be off from school again tomorrow, so I could find him then. For the time being, I decided to head back to my temporary living space for dinner.
When I made it to Lyra and Bon Bon's place, something struck me as odd. Lyra was there, sitting on the couch, but their was neither hide nor hair of Bon Bon.
"Where's Bon Bon," I asked the green unicorn.
"Oh she's finishing some stuff at work. She sent me home ahead to start dinner."
"And I assume that you have done so."
"Yes," she said with a sigh, "Geez, you sound like Bonny sometimes."
I shrugged, "Just checking."
I took a seat on the couch next to Lyra. For awhile we just sat in silence, until she turned to face me.
"Hey Jack, I know this might violate the rules, but have I asked you a question today?"
"Other than that one, no."
"Oh, good."
"Have you got one for me? You haven't missed a day yet."
"Oh, yeah. Umm, what do you think of mares?"
"Excuse me," I asked, shocked at this odd question.
"What do you think about mares? I mean, do you find us funny-looking, are you attracted to us, what?"
This just wasn't my day, was it?
"Where did this come from?"
"Just popped in my head."
"OK, I'm going to give you a mulligan, ask me a different question."
"What's wrong with the one I asked?"
"I don't want to answer it."
"Oh come on, Jack, you're not going to hurt my feelings or anything. I am actually curious."
"Fine. To be honest, you all are not much different than human women. Sure, you look different, what with the fur and the tails, but other than that, you're just the females of a different species. I wouldn't say I'm attracted to any mares, but you are certainly not repulsive or anything."
"There, was that so hard?"
"A little. It's been a long day."
"Tell me about it," Bon Bon said from the doorway.
"Hey Bon Bon," I greeted with a little wave.
"Oh, look who it is," the candy maker said sarcastically, "and here I almost forgot that there was a human sleeping on our couch."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I think this is the first time you've ever been here for dinner."
"Hey, I'm a busy guy. It's not easy being the only human in Equestria."